-> Convincing an enraged Scorpion during Shinnok's war that he had no role in the murder of his clan or family and with Quan Chi revealed as the true culprit the Lin Kuei was finally freed from the specter's vengeance. In the events prior to ''Deadly Alliance'' Sub-Zero returned to the Lin Kuei and defeated Sektor for the leadership of the clan, claiming the power-enhancing "Dragon Medallion" in the process. Vowing to reform the group into a force for good. When the "Deadly Alliance" struck he saw it as an opportunity to show the clan in a new light. Taking his new apprentice Frost with him, he aimed to aid Raiden's forces against the new threat. However, Frost's ambitions caused her to betray Sub-Zero, attempting to steal the Dragon Medallion from her master. Unable to handle its raw power, Frost was consumed by ice, with Sub-Zero blaming her failings on himself.

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-> Convincing an enraged Scorpion during Shinnok's war that he had no role in the murder of his clan or family and with Quan Chi revealed as the true culprit the Lin Kuei was finally freed from the specter's vengeance. In the events prior to ''Deadly Alliance'' Sub-Zero returned to the Lin Kuei and defeated Sektor for the leadership of the clan, claiming the power-enhancing "Dragon Medallion" Dragon Medallion in the process. Vowing process, vowing to reform the group into a force for good. When the "Deadly Alliance" Deadly Alliance struck he saw it as an opportunity to show the clan in a new light. Taking his new apprentice Frost with him, he aimed to aid Raiden's forces against the new threat. However, Frost's ambitions caused her to betray Sub-Zero, attempting to steal the Dragon Medallion from her master. Unable to handle its raw power, Frost was consumed by ice, with Sub-Zero blaming her failings on himself.

** Astoundingly, this was actually inverted during the 3D era games, where if Scorpion and Sub-Zero were ever in a fight, the former would inevitably be humiliated by some incarnation of the latter. For instance, in the Shaolin Monks intro the Elder Sub-Zero thrashes Scorpion about before finally knocking him out-cold with a torn-out spine. In the Armageddon intro, Kuai-Liang and Scorpion got into a sword-fight where he more or less smacked Scorpion ''off-screen''.

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** Astoundingly, this was actually inverted during the 3D era games, where if Scorpion and Sub-Zero were ever in a fight, the former would inevitably be humiliated by some incarnation of the latter. For instance, in the Shaolin Monks intro the Elder Sub-Zero thrashes Scorpion about before finally knocking him out-cold with a torn-out spine. In the Armageddon intro, Kuai-Liang Kuai Liang and Scorpion got into a sword-fight where he more or less smacked Scorpion ''off-screen''.

* LockedIntoStrangeness: After gaining the [[AmplifierArtifact Dragon Medallion]], Subby's eyes turn {{occult blue|Eyes}}, as well as his scar. Once he dons the ancient Cyromancer armor, his scar fades, but his skin becomes [[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation incredibly pale]] and his eyes instead turn [[MonochromaticEyes milky white]]. If his alt. in ''Deception'' is any indication, his hair also goes completely white, as opposed to just graying in ''DA'' and is reduced to a ponytail at the back of his head.

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* LockedIntoStrangeness: After gaining the [[AmplifierArtifact Dragon Medallion]], Subby's eyes turn {{occult blue|Eyes}}, as well as his scar. Once he dons the ancient Cyromancer Cryomancer armor, his scar fades, but his skin becomes [[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation incredibly pale]] and his eyes instead turn [[MonochromaticEyes milky white]]. If his alt. in ''Deception'' is any indication, his hair also goes completely white, as opposed to just graying in ''DA'' and is reduced to a ponytail at the back of his head.

* MoralityPet: For Sareena, if her ''Armageddon'' bio is anything to go by. Not only did she tail Sub-Zero to protect him from harm while he was following Noob and Smoke, but her feelings for him were so strong that even when driven mad and forced to revert back to her demon form did Sareena flee rather than fight him.

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* MoralityPet: For Sareena, if her ''Armageddon'' bio is anything to go by. Not only did she tail Sub-Zero to protect him from harm while he was following Noob and Smoke, but her feelings for him were so strong that even when driven mad and forced to revert back to her demon form did form, Sareena flee fleed rather than fight fought him.

* ObliviousYoungerSibling: Kuai Liang is a noticeably more morally-grounded character than his brother and frequently has to reiterate this to those who knew Bi-Han, but he seems to [[HeroWorshipper idolize his elder sibling a bit too much]] (which is more evident in ''9'') in spite of a tie-in comic for ''4'' revealing that Bi-Han, at some point in the past, told him about his adventures during ''Mythologies'', a retelling that likely included his unwarranted killing of Hanzo when the ninja was defenseless and had surrendered, ''[[AintTooProudToBeg begging]]'' for his life. FamilyHonor and the simple fact that he lost his only known relative play a part, but Kuai, who has an adversity to lethal force unless absolutely necessary, was one [[spoiler:untimely intervention by the Cyber Lin Kuei]] away from ending Scorpion's (un)life in ''9'', knowing full well that'd only perpetuate the ViciousCycle built up to that point. [[spoiler:Bi-Han, now Noob Saibot, disowning and attempting to kill him caused Kuai to [[BrokenPedestal ultimately shake off this rosy image]]. On the other hand, the comic implies that Sub-Zero still resents Scorpion on a certain level for murdering his brother.]]

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* ObliviousYoungerSibling: Kuai Liang is a noticeably more morally-grounded character than his brother and frequently has to reiterate this to those who knew Bi-Han, but he seems to [[HeroWorshipper idolize his elder sibling a bit too much]] (which is more evident in ''9'') in spite of a tie-in comic for ''4'' revealing that Bi-Han, at some point in the past, told him about his adventures during ''Mythologies'', a retelling that likely included his unwarranted killing of Hanzo when the ninja was defenseless and had surrendered, ''[[AintTooProudToBeg begging]]'' for his life. FamilyHonor and the simple fact that he lost his only known relative play a part, but Kuai, who has an adversity to lethal force unless absolutely necessary, was one [[spoiler:untimely intervention by the Cyber Lin Kuei]] away from ending Scorpion's (un)life in ''9'', knowing full well that'd only perpetuate the ViciousCycle built up to that point. [[spoiler:Bi-Han, now Noob Saibot, disowning and attempting to kill him caused Kuai to [[BrokenPedestal ultimately shake off this rosy image]]. On the other hand, the comic implies that Sub-Zero still resents Scorpion on a certain level for murdering his brother.]]

* SinsOfOurFathers: Scorpion seems to have shifted the blame he originally placed on Bi-Han for his supposed murder of the Shirai-Ryu onto him, much to Kuai-Liang's annoyance. It doesn't really help matters that Scorpion was essentially wrong to blame him or his brother in the first place.

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* SinsOfOurFathers: Scorpion seems to have shifted the blame he originally placed on Bi-Han for his supposed murder of the Shirai-Ryu onto him, much to Kuai-Liang's Kuai Liang's annoyance. It doesn't really help matters that Scorpion was essentially wrong to blame him or his brother in the first place.

* TechnicalPacifist[=/=]ReluctantWarrior: Pinballs between the two, but usually stays rooted in the former. He has an aversion to killing, as seen by his story in ''II'' (this is also how Scorpion was able to piece together that he was not the same Sub-Zero he killed in the previous tournament, thus beginning his vow to protect the younger Sub-Zero). He even made peace with Scorpion ([[YouKilledMyFather his brother's killer]]), froze [[DeceptiveDisciple Frost]] out of mercy instead of outright killing her, and is currently trying to purify his brother's soul. All bets are off if you're a irredeemable villain, though.

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* TechnicalPacifist[=/=]ReluctantWarrior: Pinballs between the two, but usually stays rooted in the former. He has an aversion to killing, as seen by his story in ''II'' (this is also how Scorpion was able to piece together that he was not the same Sub-Zero he killed in the previous tournament, thus beginning his vow to protect the younger Sub-Zero). He even made peace with Scorpion ([[YouKilledMyFather his brother's killer]]), froze [[DeceptiveDisciple Frost]] out of mercy instead of outright killing her, and is currently trying to purify his brother's soul. All bets are off if you're a an irredeemable villain, though.

* WorfHadTheFlu: He lost to Scorpion in the MK X comic, but Hanzo openly admitted the only reason he won was because Sub-Zero was weakened by the kamidogu. Also, he more or less initially dominated their fight until the demon possessing decided to expend his powers to stop Takeda from running away.

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* WorfHadTheFlu: He lost to Scorpion in the MK X MKX comic, but Hanzo openly admitted the only reason he won was because Sub-Zero was weakened by the kamidogu. Also, he more or less initially dominated their fight until the demon possessing decided to expend his powers to stop Takeda from running away.

-> In ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'', the younger Sub-Zero is actively seeking Scorpion for his brother's death, and so heads to Outworld with Smoke to seek him. He is also on the run with Smoke from the Lin Kuei, as they were trying to avoid being turned into cyborg ninja like Cyrax and Sektor before them.

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-> In ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'', the younger Sub-Zero is actively seeking Scorpion for his brother's death, and so heads to Outworld with Smoke to seek him. He is also on the run with Smoke from the Lin Kuei, as they were trying to avoid being turned into cyborg ninja like Cyrax and Sektor before them.them. [[spoiler:He eventually defeats Scorpion in the Outworld tournament, but as he is about to deliver the finishing blow, he is captured by the Lin Kuei to be cyberized. As a cyborg, he serves Shao Kahnís forces for a while before being reprogrammed by Jax, thus having his free will back. He joins the Earthrealm defenders afterwards, and along with most of them, is killed by a powered-up Sindel. Sub-Zero is then resurrected by Quan Chi as a mindless revenant, regaining his human form in the process. He fights for the Netherrealm during the subsequent Earthrealm invasion as depicted in the beginning of ''VideoGame/MortalKombatX''. In the aftermath of the war, he is restored to life by Raiden. As with the original timeline, he takes control of the Lin Kuei from Sektor, turning the clan into a benevolent force. He also reveals the true murderer of the Shirai Ryu clan to Scorpion, ending their feud. Sub-Zero continues to be a reliable ally of Earthrealm, occasionally assisting the Special Forces. He is last seen driving Kotal Kahn and his army back to Outworld with his clan after they chased the Special Forces back to Earthrealm.]]

-> He is later [[spoiler:[[BroughtDownToNormal returned to his human form]]]] in [[spoiler:''VideoGame/MortalKombatX'']], due to being under Quan Chi's influence before [[spoiler:being brought BackFromTheDead]].

* TheUnfettered: Starts to appreciate her new form as a revenant. Jax and Sareena even lament how Quan Chi's magic has turned the remaining revenants into killing machines.

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* TheUnfettered: Starts to appreciate her new form as a revenant. Jax and Sareena even lament how Quan Chi's magic has slowly turned the remaining revenants into killing machines.machines in the 25-year gap.

* AntiVillain: [[spoiler:As a reverent, he's considerably less evil than the others. He doesn't think that EvilFeelsGood compared to Liu Kang, he wishes to return to normal, and was willing to spare Jax at first for trespassing when he stepped foot in the Netherrealm.]]

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* AntiVillain: [[spoiler:As a reverent, he's considerably less evil than the others. He doesn't think that EvilFeelsGood compared to Liu Kang, Kang or Kitana, he wishes to return to normal, and was willing to spare Jax at first for trespassing when he stepped foot in the Netherrealm.]]

* PrimAndProperBun: Her hairstyle (shared with every other female ninja who existed as of ''[=MK3=]'') in ''[=MK3/4=]''. [[spoiler:Her revenant form in ''X'', whose costume is overall inspired by Kitana's attire in those games, also wears her hair up in this fashion.]]

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* PrimAndProperBun: Her hairstyle (shared with every other female ninja who existed as of ''[=MK3=]'') in ''[=MK3/4=]''. [[spoiler:Her revenant form in ''X'', whose costume is overall inspired by Kitana's attire in those games, also wears her hair up in this fashion.]]

* PrimAndProperBun: Her revenant form in ''X'', whose costume is overall inspired by Kitana's attire in ''[=MK3=]'' and ''[=MK4=]'', also wears her hair up in this fashion.

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* PrimAndProperBun: Her revenant form in ''X'', whose ''X'' wears her hair up in this style due to her costume is being overall inspired by Kitana's attire in ''[=MK3=]'' and ''[=MK4=]'', also wears her hair up in ''[=MK4=]'' (where all of the female ninjas shared this fashion.hairstyle).

* PyrrhicVillainy[=/=]MeaninglessVillainVictory: [[spoiler:Every time he wins, it amounts to this. In his arcade mode ending in ''Armageddon'' he ultimately wins after the events of Armageddon; surviving the ascent up the pyramid and follows that by killing Raiden, but loses his own sanity for having nothing else to conquer.]]

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* PyrrhicVillainy[=/=]MeaninglessVillainVictory: [[spoiler:Every time he wins, it amounts to this. In his arcade mode ending in ''Armageddon'' arcade mode ending, he ultimately wins after the events of Armageddon; Armageddon by surviving the ascent up the pyramid and follows that by killing Raiden, but loses his own sanity for having nothing else to conquer.]]

* MetronomicManMashing: Perhaps the first example in fighting game history, his quad slam had him bodyslam enemies up to 4 times for 40% of their life. Later games change how the move looks and in the latest game, up to 5 slams can be done.

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* SuperStrength: His various depictions show him being at least as strong as a Shokan warrior, and this was before his bionics.

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* WorldsStrongestMan: Pretty much treated as this compared to every human Kombatant around when he was fully flesh and blood. After going bionic, he's become even mightier.

* ButtMonkey: In MortalKombatX, Baraka seems to exist to be humiliated. Not only is he beaten up twice in Story Mode, but Alien's ''(non-canon)'' storyline sees him as the victim of a chestburster. To add even more insult to injury, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCKcOyILlp4 one player who experimented with a modded copy of the game]] discovered that Baraka was severely nerfed from his MortalKombat9 incarnation.

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* ButtMonkey: In MortalKombatX, Baraka seems to exist to be humiliated. Not only is he beaten up twice in Story Mode, but Alien's ''(non-canon)'' storyline sees him as the victim of a chestburster. To add even more insult to injury, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCKcOyILlp4 one player who experimented with a modded copy of the game]] discovered that Baraka was severely nerfed from his MortalKombat9 ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'' incarnation.

** [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration This even leads to his ultimate downfall in the new continuity's storyline]]. In MortalKombat9, Shao Khan comes out on top in the events of ''Armageddon'', with literally no one left but him and Raiden (who is exhausted and on the verge of death). Khan takes the opportunity to taunt Raiden about this, which gives Raiden enough time to send a message to past!Raiden, which ultimately averts this outcome and destroy Khan before ''Armageddon'' ever comes to pass.

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** [[GameplayAndStoryIntegration This even leads to his ultimate downfall in the new continuity's storyline]]. In MortalKombat9, ''VideoGame/MortalKombat9'', Shao Khan comes out on top in the events of ''Armageddon'', with literally no one left but him and Raiden (who is exhausted and on the verge of death). Khan takes the opportunity to taunt Raiden about this, which gives Raiden enough time to send a message to past!Raiden, which ultimately averts this outcome and destroy Khan before ''Armageddon'' ever comes to pass.

* {{Characterization Marches On}}: Kung Lao's appearences before Shaolin Monks didn't have his rivalry with Liu Kang and he wasn't the hothead SM cemented him as. Come Shaolin Monk, he's presented as jealous of Liu Kang and driven to show he's just as worthy to be a hero as him. While the game is of dubious canonicity elements of it were used in later games, in this case namely Kung Lao's characterization (the earliest game after SM to have this is Armageddon in the case of Kung Lao's ending).

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* {{Characterization Marches On}}: Kung Lao's appearences before Shaolin Monks didn't have his rivalry with Liu Kang and he wasn't the hothead SM cemented him as. Come Shaolin Monk, Monks, he's presented as jealous of Liu Kang and driven to show he's just as worthy to be a hero as him. While the game is of dubious canonicity elements of it were used in later games, in this case namely Kung Lao's characterization (the earliest game after SM to have this is Armageddon in the case of Kung Lao's ending).

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